Modernize New York’s Antiquated Voting Laws

Voting should be straightforward, but New York makes it much too hard.

New Yorkers face arbitrary registration deadlines, faraway polls and long lines just to cast a ballot on a single day. One of the top reasons residents say they didn’t vote is because they couldn’t find the time. Our state’s user-unfriendly voting laws have consistently – and increasingly – caused dismal voter registration and turn-out rates across the state. In the last presidential election, New York had the eighth worst turn-out in the country.

Nothing should keep New Yorkers from exercising their fundamental right to vote. After all, voting is the right we exercise to protect all other rights.

TAKE ACTION: Tell lawmakers it’s time to modernize New York’s antiquated voting laws.

Message Recipients:Andrew M. Cuomo (D-NY), GovernorCarl E. Heastie, Speaker, New York State AssemblyAndrea Stewart-Cousins (D), New York State Senate

[The Form Label field is hidden on ACLU message action forms]

Your Message

Subject

Message

Voting should be straightforward, but New York makes it much too hard.

New Yorkers face arbitrary registration deadlines, faraway polls and long lines just to cast a ballot on a single day. One of the top reasons residents say they didn’t vote is because they couldn’t find the time. Our state’s user-unfriendly voting laws have consistently – and increasingly – caused dismal voter registration and turn-out rates across the state. In the last presidential election, New York had the eighth worst turn-out in the country.

It’s time to modernize New York’s antiquated voting laws.

We need early voting so that work obligations, illness, transportation, disability or unexpected obstacles don’t keep people from the polls. We also need automatic voter registration to significantly improve New York’s dismal registration rate. And we need electronic poll books to make sure that voting is efficient and fewer eligible voters are forced to cast a provisional ballot that might not ever be counted.

You should also pass two important constitutional amendments that would allow same-day voter registration and no-excuse absentee balloting, two proven ways to dramatically increase voter participation. Sending these amendments to the ballot for approval will give New Yorkers the chance to weigh in directly about how voting can work better for all of us.

We have to catch up with the rest of the country. To move New York forward, there should be no barriers to democracy.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

Your Information

Already a supporter?

If we already have your information, just enter your email address and click to send this message now.

This system requires that you provide your name and contact information. This information will not be used for any purpose other than to identify you to the recipient.

(required by some officials)

ABOUT HONORIFIC TITLES

Many public officials use "web mail forms" that this system will send your message to, so you don't have to visit their web sites to communicate with them. The systems that some of these officials use requires that the honorific field be used (Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc.).

Unfortunately, we do not have control of which honorific titles are presented as options. We must adhere to what the officials are using in order for your message to be delivered.

Salutation *

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone *

Phone Type *

Show my name in a list of action takers.

Sign up for ACLU emails to stay informed and take action to protect people's rights.

If I've entered a mobile phone number, I allow the ACLU and its representatives to contact me via text messages and mobile phone calls about ways to take action and support the ACLU.